Our history

The building where the hotel is built in has been a part of Venetian history for more than 500 years.

It was built in the 16th century and used as a Monastery of the Santa Chiara Nuns (from which the hotel and the embankment on the Grand Canal take their names).

At first, Piazzale Roma was a cult place, whose landscape was dominated by the presence of various vegetable gardens.
During the years, the function of this area had changed radically: during the 17th and the 18th centuries, the area became predominantly residential and the part with vegetable gardens and buildings disappeared in order to give room to the Papadopoli Gardens (situated next to the hotel).

The demolition of the monastic complex (of which only the building of the Santa Chiara hotel remains) symbolises the beginning of a series of pubic works (the Santa Lucia train station, the connection bridge to the mainland, the excavation of canal Rio Nuovo) have changed the aspect of Piazzale Roma and made it one of the liveliest and most important areas of the city.